Maria C. Cardona

Maria (Mary) Campos Cardona, 71, of Pearsall, Texas, formerly of Uvalde, Texas, peacefully passed away on May 31, 2024, in Uvalde. 

She was born on August 9, 1952, in Múzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico to Mario B. Campos and Francisca Sanchez. When she was eight, her parents moved from Múzquiz to Uvalde, where her dad worked on a ranch as a cowboy. Her family made Uvalde their home, and she graduated from Uvalde High School in 1972. She met and fell in love with her husband, David T. Cardona, in Uvalde, and they married on July 23, 1978. Shortly after, they were blessed with two sons, David and Mario. 

David’s job as a lineman for Central Power and Light led them from Uvalde to Pearsall, where Mary became a dedicated educator. While working as a teacher’s aide for Pearsall ISD, she decided she wanted to become a teacher and started her journey as a college student taking evening classes. After several years of balancing motherhood and schoolwork, she eventually earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Sul Ross State University and a second master’s degree from Texas A&M International University.

Mary dedicated 26 years of her life to Pearsall ISD as a school teacher and counselor. Her passion for education extended beyond the school, as she also worked as a librarian for the Pearsall Public Library for 9 years before retiring. 

Mary found joy in simple pleasures like reading, journaling, coloring books, and gardening. But above all else, she cherished her time with loved ones, often enjoying lunch with her friends and visiting her sons and granddaughter as much as possible. 

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, David T. Cardona; her sons David Cardona III and Mario Cardona; her granddaughter Rylee Mares; her sister Elia Keck, brother-in-law Peter Keck, and their son John Keck; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents. 

Mary was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and grandmother and will truly be missed by her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her. 

Visitation will begin on Thursday, June 6, 2024,  at 1:00 p.m., followed by a rosary at 7:00 p.m. at Rushing-Estes-Knowles Mortuary in Uvalde, Texas.

A funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Uvalde, Texas. Service will conclude at the church.